The air within the main conference hall of Shaolin Temple was thick with anticipation and the scent of aged wood and incense. It was just past noon, and the room was filled with formidable figures: Monk Ling, the heads of the Six Sects, the powerful brothers Cao Fengge and Cao Wenyan, along with the respected martial artists Yong Gui and Yong Taihua, and the shrewd Yuan Zixin. They sat in a tense, expectant silence, their gaze collectively fixed on the entrance as they waited.
Finally, the silence was broken by the arrival of the Gu family contingent: Gu Tingfang, flanked by his two sons and daughter, Gu Xiaowen, Gu Gouliang, and Gu Jinjing. They strode in to join the assembly.
Gu Tingfang took his seat while his children stood behind him. He handed the controversial letter to Gu Jinjing, who walked up to Monk Ling and presented the missive.
After finishing reading the letter, Monk Ling turned to face the sitting leaders, his expression grave. "According to this letter," he announced, "it demands that the Chief Gu release the members of the Sunset Sect. What does this mean? Does the Gu house detain any Sunset members?"
Gu Tingfang responded with calculated ambiguity. "If the Gu did, that was before I became the chief. There are hundreds of prisoners inside the Gu prison cell, so I have no idea who is who."
Cao Fengge interjected, offering a defense of the previous regime. "Even if the previous chiefs imprisoned those members of Sunset Sect, it was for a good cause."
Gu Tingfang pushed back, subtly challenging the authority of the assembled clans. "We do have many prisoners in our prison cells. Everyone in the martial arts circle knows this. Our Gu household imprisoned many unorthodox clan's leaders." He looked at the leaders of the martial arts world. "If any clan or sector thinks they can do a better job, please let us know. I have no problem sending those prisoners to your sect and clan."
Li Kong Bai, Chief Huangshan Sect spoke up, voicing the general confusion. "Chief Gu, we do understand that the Four Households have been maintaining peace in Central Plains. The Sunset Sect has been wiped out from the martial arts world for many years. What do they want now?"
Nun Chingmei of the Emei Sect added, "I have not met them face to face, but why have they suddenly decided to cause trouble in Central Plains? Also, why did they deliberately target the Gu's family?"
Tang Jianyu, Chief of the Kunlun Sect, offered his assessment on the threat. "I believe that the Gu Household is targeted because they knew that there are many dangerous martial artists locked inside the Gu's prison cells." The implication was clear: the Sunset Sect's goal was a mass jailbreak.
Wu Jianping, the young Chief of the Mangsha Sect, asked, "If this is the case, should we send disciples from different clans to aid the Gu Household?"
Gu Tingfang quickly dismissed the offer. "We have thousands of guards guarding the Gu Manor. If we need help, we will let everyone know." His pride prevented him from admitting weakness or accepting aid.
Li Kong Bai then pivoted the discussion to a lingering, internal conflict within the Central Plains. He looked directly at Cao Fengge and stated, "Also, there is still a problem in the martial arts world, that is, whether Chief Cao killed my three disciples." He took out a white handkerchief, unfolded it, and revealed a needle. "This is the needle drawn from Lie Jie. The only person in the martial arts world who uses needle and thread is Chief Cao."
The accusation hung heavy in the air, but the powerful figures present immediately came to Cao Fengge's defense.
Yong Gui spoke first. "Regarding this issue, I vouch for Chief Cao. During the period when the two gentlemen disappeared and were murdered, Chief Cao was in Sword Village."
Monk Ling confirmed the alibi. "This monk can also vouch for Chief Cao."
Li Kong Bai, despite presenting the evidence, seemed to accept the defense. "I have known Chief Cao for many years, so I don't believe that Chief Cao is the murderer." He looked around the room, suspicion turning outward. "I believe someone framed Chief Cao."
Fu Yuanjun agreed with the sentiment, supporting Cao Fengge's character. "I also agree with Leader Li's statement. If Chief Cao wanted to kill someone, he would do it openly, so why bother to hide behind a mask."
Wei Shuai, the young leader of the Kongdong Sect, voiced the deep-seated fear and suspicion shared by all. "Chief Li, I heard that you sent the four gentlemen to the Mu Cave. That's why there is such a tragedy... Could it be that Mu Dishi is still alive, and he is the one who framed Chief Cao?"
The suggestion that the legendary, and often terrifying, Mu Dishi might be the mastermind behind the chaos instantly captured the room's attention.
Yuan Zixin capitalized on the general agreement. "In this case, should we go back to the Mu Cave? We should confirm for ourselves. We all know that since the Mu Cave incident, many martial artists want to know whether Mu Dishi is dead or alive." The assembled martial artists and sector leaders agreed unanimously with Yuan Zixin's proposal.
Wu Jianping spoke with ruthless practicality. "If Mu Dishi is still alive, we can end him once and for all, but if he died already, then we can rest assured that the person who is making trouble in the martial arts world right now is not him."
Yong Taihua erupted in a fit of righteous fury, defending his master. "My shizun did nothing wrong except being forced into taking you guys into the Mu Cave. May I ask?" He glared sharply at Wu Jianping. "What crime did shizun commit this time?" He grinned, his eyes challenging. "You'd better make it clear, because if my shizun did not commit a crime, then I would think that Chief Wu still wants to avenge the death of your late sector chief."
Wu Jianping quickly backed down. "Yong gongzi, we don't take revenge anymore, don't get me wrong."
Yong Taihua pressed him, demanding clarity. "Then what exactly did you mean by finishing my shizun off? Please explain it clearly..."
Yong Gui interceded before the argument escalated further. "Taihua." He shook his head, then addressed the assembly with authority. "I have known Mu gongzi for a long time. Everyone in the martial arts circle knows that we the Yong are the caretakers of the Mu grave. If Mu gongzi is still alive, we also would like to know. If he is dead, then Sword Village would like to take his corpse back to Sword Village and bury him with the rest of the Mu." He looked around, issuing a challenge. "Does anyone have an objection?"
Li Kong Bai stated simply, "I have no objection."
Monk Ling confirmed, "Shaolin has no objection."
With the assent of the major leaders, everyone inside the conference hall agreed not to object to Yong Gui's request to retrieve Mu Dishi's body. Yong Gui stood and formally clasped his hands together, bowing slightly. "Sword Village thanks each and every one."
Cao Fengge then put forward a proposal. "Let's move the two years annual competition to the same day as the competition of the four households."
Monk Ling agreed to the change. "I also agree." He then got up and walked to the center of the hall, making a major declaration. "This monk wants everyone to know that Shaolin will not participate in entering the Mu treasure cave."
Tang Jianyu followed suit. "Kunlun will not participate either."
Nun Chingmei added her sect to the abstention list. "Emi Sect will not participate either."
Yong Gui confirmed the plan for his sect. "I'm not going, but Taihua will take some Sword Village disciples to retrieve Mu gongzi's body." The martial artists nodded, accepting the mission would fall to a select few.
Yong Taihua then raised the final, and perhaps most volatile, problem. "The third problem is the seventy-two Islands from the south sea. They claimed that we killed their second leader while looking for Yang qianbei. On our way home, they ambushed us and many of the disciples of different clans and sects were killed."
The insult and the loss of life instantly shattered the fragile decorum of the room. Nun Chingmei stood up, her face flushed with rage and slammed her hand hard onto the tea table. The table smashed into pieces.
She spoke madly, breathing heavily, "Who do those bandits think they are? We have left them alone because we didn't want to chase dogs that have nowhere else to go. If they dare to step into Central Plains, Emi Sect will have no problem killing them!"
Tang Jianyu tried to soothe the enraged Nun Chingmei. "Chingmei, calm yourself down."
Cao Fengge offered a shrewd analysis to link the seemingly disparate troubles. "Maybe who framed me might have killed their second leader. The opportunist took this opportunity to set fire in the martial arts world."
Gu Tingfang agreed. "I agree. The opportunist will use the pirates of Seventy-two Islands to fight us."
Fu Yuanjun pressed the crucial question: "When the two sides fight, there will be loss on both sides. Who do you think will gain more out of this?"
Gu Tingfang didn't hesitate. "Yueguang Sect."
Everyone gasped. The suspicion immediately shifted to a long-standing, powerful rival.
Cao Fengge sighed. "Chief Gu has a point, who will gain more than Lao Wang."
Monk Ling intoned solemnly, "Amitabha… Chief Wang refuses to let it go after so many years."
Yong Taihua offered a staggering theory. "Could it be that Yueguang Sect used the name Sunset Sectto stir trouble in the martial arts world?"
Li Kong Bai advocated for a measured response. "Let's take one step at a time."
Yong Taihua, however, was focused on his goal. "No matter what, we are clearing my shizun's name first."
Li Kong Bai concluded the plan. "We will go to the Mu Treasure Cave in two days to confirm our suspicion." The assembled martial artists nodded in agreement.
Just as the conference was settling, Wang Biming strode into the hall, flanked by Miao Mingzhu. The collective gaze of the martial artists fixed on the entrance.
Wang Biming faced the assembly. "You might have to rethink your suspicions of my father striving trouble in the martial arts world."
Gu Tingfang challenged him. "Why?"
Wang Biming's revelation stunned them. "My father was killed by Mu Dishi. I can assure you that this matter in the martial arts world has nothing to do with him."
Miao Mingzhu reinforced the statement. "If Yueguang sectwants to kill or cause trouble, we will announce it publicly without shame."
Wang Biming continued his declaration. "Since my father died, I have been the new chief of the Wang Household. I know that my father has some beef with some martial artists, and he did not follow the rules of the martial arts world, but today's Wang Household is different from yesterday's Wang Household. The Yueguang Sect will remain in Tibet, and I will not be part of Yueguang Sect." He vowed, "We will not cause trouble for you or intervene your problem."
Cao Fengge asked pointedly, "If that is the case, then why is Wang gongzi here today?"
Wang Biming smiled faintly. "Just to clear one of your suspicions."
Monk Ling offered a path to peace. "Wang gongzi, if the Wang Households follow the rules of the martial arts world, I believe the martial artists in Central Plains will give your household a second chance."
Wang Biming dismissed the offer with contempt. "No, thank you. I have better things to do than chasing some ridiculous title." He took four steps toward the exit and looked back, issuing a cold warning. "By the way, since everyone is here. If you leave the Wang Household alone, we will leave you alone, but if someone wants to bring old beef to the table, we have no problem tearing that beef with you."
A martial artist, driven by vengeance, stepped out of the crowd. "Very well, Wang Zedong killed my father, and I will avenge him!" He rushed towards Wang Biming with a sword.
In a terrifying display of power, Wang Biming grabbed the martial artist's wrist and instantly punched him in the chest. The force of the blow blasted the martial artist into the center of the conference hall. The man bled from his mouth and nose, dying instantly.
Elder Tong gasped, identifying the lethal technique: "Devil Fist!"
Wang Biming and Miao Mingzhu calmly turned and walked away. Monk Ling rushed to check the fallen man. He looked up at the other leaders, his face pale. "The power of that punch shattered his chest and destroyed his heart."
Walking down the mountain path, Miao Mingzhu asked, her voice tinged with regret, "Da shixiong, are you really going to leave this behind?"
Wang Biming paused. "Meimei, if you want to coexist with them, just follow their rules." He stopped and looked at Miao Mingzhu, his gaze softening. "Your home is not here. You should go home. Don't you miss the long winter, drinking yak butter tea around the small warm fire pit?"
Miao Mingzhu understood the source of his profound melancholy. "Is it because of Mu Dishi?"
A shadow passed over Wang Biming's face. "I always wanted to take him to Tibet. Stay away from other people. Sitting by the warm fire and drinking yak butter tea with him. But now... I don't have that chance anymore." He smiled sadly at Miao Mingzhu. "I should spend my ten years wisely."